Dental emergencies happen when you least expect them, and they'll cause you to scramble around in the moment trying to research treatment methods and gather supplies. Don't wait until an emergency happens, and follow these tips to be prepared for a potential dental emergency.

Create A Dental Emergency Kit

You have a small first aid kit to treat cuts and scrapes, so why not have one for your teeth? You can make one by gathering these items and placing them into a bag.

• Gauze
• Instant ice pack
• Orthodontic wax
• Cotton balls
• Dental floss
• Clove oil
• Small mirror
• Emergency dentist list (with phone numbers and addresses)
• Sealable container
• Bottled water

Losing A Dental Filling

Use warm water to wash the tooth with the missing filling. Then apply a small amount of orthodontic wax where your filling once was. Secure the wax by biting down on it gently, and use cotton balls to remove all of the excess wax. Make sure not to chew on anything for a few hours so that the wax can set properly.

Chipping A Tooth

Rinse the area using warm water, and place orthodontic wax on the part of the tooth that was chipped. This will prevent the sharp edge of the tooth from irritating your tongue and mouth. If the damage is causing pain, place clove oil on your gums under the affected tooth. If the chip occurred due to physical trauma to your face, use a cold pack to relieve the swelling and pain.

Knocking Out A Tooth

Rinse out your mouth using warm water, and carefully pick up your tooth in a way where you do not touch the root. You should rinse off your tooth using just your saliva, and then place it back into its socket. Place some gauze over the tooth, then bite down on it to keep the tooth in the socket. You can use clove oil to help relieve pain by applying it on your gums near your tooth, or applying the cold pack to your cheek.

You'll need to place your tooth in a sealable container if you are unable to place your tooth back into the socket immediately. The tooth must be kept moist by being placed in milk or your own saliva. The faster you can get to an emergency dentist, the better chance you'll have of saving the tooth.

For more information about dealing with dental emergencies, speak to a dentist or visit http://www.fortcollinsdentist.com.